Christchurch
Trip Start
Feb 10, 2008
1
4
28
Trip End
Aug 14, 2008
Christchurch,
New Zealand
Monday, February 18, 2008
We had a great ferry ride to Picton and the scenery was beautiful arriving into Picton to see the picturesque harbour in the late afternoon sun. We stayed at the Yacht Club hotel and got upgraded to a huge 2 bed apartment as the hotel was full. What a treat to have all that space to spread out and a bathroom each. After a quick dash to the shops to buy supplies we were able to sit on our balcony, overlooking the yachts, and watch the sun go down sipping a Montana Reserve sav. blanc.
The next morning we were up early to get the first water taxi out to Ship Cove at the start of the Queen Charlotte walking track for a 15 km 'tramp' (learning NZ speak) to Furneaux Lodge, then a water taxi back
View of harbour from our apartment
. The weather was perfect and the views on the track are spectacular. Our bodies are still reminding us that we did the trek. We love Picton as it is such a pretty and quiet place with laid-back characters. The Dutch bakery is also a highlight. Their sandwiches and scones are excellent. If we have time on the way back north we hope to visit it again. Yesterday we took the TranzCoastal train from Picton to Christchurch. The man who loaded the luggage on to the train was a real character who is also the town toilet cleaner and a mine of local info. We had our first views of the Marlborough vines as we headed south and then ocean views later on. Bit of a cramped journey as the train was full but a good way to see the coast; the train had a viewing platform which was great for stretching ones legs as well as taking photos.
So here we are today on another train; the TranzAlpine. Not such good weather with gentle NZ rain falling. It too was packed from Christchurch but a 200 strong group of Japanese tourists alighted at Arthur's Pass so we now have lots of room to spread out. Hence the space and peace to use the computer.
Thank goodness for 2 quiet train days to rest our legs.
Now writing this in Blenheim, the heart of the Marlborough wine region.
We had a cold and rainy day on Friday in Christchurch but wrapped up and walked around the city
View from Queen Charlotte Track
. Yesterday morning it was still raining as we got up at 5am to catch the 7am train north back to Blenheim. Our wet weather clothing and our warm stuff is certainly being used. Surprising as it is supposed to be summer. Are we just soft? Good train journey as the weather cleared and even saw sea lions and dolphins from the train. Picked up a hire car and checked in to our motel in Blenheim. We had hoped to stay in one of the beautiful-sounding vineyard cottages or B&Bs but almost all booked out here; amazing. Anyway very comfortable in a motel.Started the winery visits as soon as we arrived yesterday and continued today after a visit to the Sunday farmers markets for some local produce. Lunch with a view at Highfield winery and spent a relaxing couple of hours there. Cannot remember anywhere with such good food combined with excellent wine in beautiful relaxing surroundings. Maybe the fact that today the sun is shining and it is warm again has something to do with it? This is such a beautiful area with the vines stretching for miles and the hills surrounding them; great vistas in all directions.
If you are not interested in wine you could miss this next bit.
When we visited Cloudy Bay winery we were amazed that the view is exactly like their labels. Apparently designed from a photo taken by the winemaker.
Transcoastal train
Very friendly cellar door staff at all the wineries and loved the wines too.We particularly enjoyed Hunters wines, Lawsons Dry Hills, Villa Maria and Wither Hills.
I am typing this drinking a glass of Cloudy Bay S.B. and will stop soon to concentrate on enjoying the wine.
It is Sunday evening and we have only been away one week but it seems ages.
In between all this good food and wine the computer has been playing up so hope I can get this sent today. After many hours of his cursing at Microsoft, David tells me that the computer is fixed....needed a patch applied in DOS (for those that know or care!)
One unexpected problem here has been the language; we thought that South America could be a problem but some of the New Zealand accents here are so difficult to understand that we have to keep asking people to repeat things. Or are we going deaf? Apart from the language problem we have found the people here to be exceptionally friendly and willing to please. Loving the country even though it is in a bit of a time warp.
